HIDING a year of heartache, proud mam Kate Spraggon celebrates the birth of her precious new daughter.

Just over 12 months ago, Kate and husband Chris from Bedlington, in Northumberland, were left in despair by the death of their four-week-old daughter Eve.

The youngster was diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome - a rare genetic disorder which causes developmental abnormalities and breathing problems - soon after her birth on January 4, 2010.

Chris, 32, and Kate, 29, of Gladstone Terrace, said their whole world fell apart after Eve’s death.

But now their sadness has given way to joy after they welcomed new baby Isabella Sophia, born weighing 6lb 4.5oz, at 12.43am, on February 11, at Wansbeck General Hospital.

Delighted Chris, a chartered engineer, said: “It’s great, but we also feel guilty for being so happy.

“I don’t think we would we feel like this without going through what we have been through.

“We are extremely relieved that everything is OK.

“It has been very difficult for the whole family and it’s just a big relief to see her and have her here now.

“When Isabella was born, we were checking her over because when we had Eve we didn’t realise her fingers couldn’t bend properly and she had a smaller chest bone.

“As soon as Isabella arrived she wanted a bottle - that was the most amazing thing, because the midwife had tried to get Eve to feed because she was smaller, but she wouldn’t.

“We miss her every day. We had a lot to give her but she wasn’t here long enough to share all of that with us.”

Eve was born with a series of abnormalities and suffered from chronic and incurable breathing problems.

Nursing staff at Wansbeck General Hospital became concerned after she was born weighing just 5lb 8oz and failed to cry for her first feed.

She was moved on to the special care unit and connected to a feeding tube. A few days later a consultant from Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary visited Eve and suspected she had a chromosome disorder.

Tests confirmed Eve had Edwards Syndrome, but Chris and Kate, who are also parents to Ellie, five, and Grace, three, say they were clueless as to the severity of the condition.

They took Eve back to hospital where her condition rapidly deteriorated. She died at home the next day, on February 4 last year, with the devoted couple by her side.

Thrilled Kate said: “I was really anxious throughout the whole pregnancy. It just didn’t feel real. I thought when I saw Isabella for the first time that it would bring back a lot of emotions.

“We will never forget Eve. We talk about her every day and we miss her so much.

“But Isabella is a little gem. She’s like a rainbow after the storm and we are so happy she’s healthy.”

Chris and Kate would like to thank all of the staff at Wansbeck General Hospital for their help and care, especially consultant obstetrician Dr McKenzie.